Musical-instrument valve



Filed June 29. 1926 Irivmjor 7 id 777d? 5 r igfield, By M I I I D Attorney Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES LAMAR STRINGFIELD, OF ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.

MIISICAL-INSTRUMENT VALVE.

Application filed June 29, 1926.

This invention relates to improvements in musical instruments and it has more particular reference to a novel valve structure for such instrument, the same being especially, but not'necessarily, adapted for use in association with flutes and analogous wind instruments. Persons familiar with instruments of this type know. that a multiplicity of valves are employed to cover the tone holes in the tubing. These. tone holes are surrounded by outstanding neckswhich form valve seats, these necksbeing usually drawn from the metal or otherwiseattached to the tubing. Then too, the ordinary valve comprises a metal cup in which a pad is fitted in order to obtain an air tight joint between the pad and the valve seat.

Although the compressible nature of the pad allows it to protrude slightly into the neck when the valve is closed, the present arrangement is believed to be inferior for the reason that air pockets are formed where each valve appears.

Obviously, this interferes with the con tinuity of the flow of the air column which is projected into the tubing by the performer. Vith this arrangement the obstructions formed by these air pockets tends to interfere with the production of clear tones which are substantially true in pitch.

The present invention has reference to a valve which tends to eliminate to a certain extent, the formation of air pockets at the valve seats. In fact, it aims to provide a substantially uninterrupted passage for the air column to flow through. This is accomplished by a novel construction and arrangement of parts which will be made clear from the following description and drawing.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a top plan view of a fragmentary portion of wind instrument tubing equipped with the improved valve.

Figure 2 is a section taken approximately upon the plane-of the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the improved valve per se.

In the drawings, the reference character 1 designates the tubing, which as better shown in Figure 2, is provided with the usual tone holes surrounded by outstanding necks 2. As before stated, the edge of the neck constitutes a valve seat for the swing able valve 3. The valve, as is usual, is in the form of a metal cup, the open side of vure 1.

Serial No. 119,349.

which is toward the valve seat, and a rocker arm 4 is connected with this cup and with an oscillatory rock shaft 5 as shown in Fig- The cup is preferably formed of metal, and in the present instance, it is formed at its center with a depression 6 having an air release port 7. In accordance with the present invention this cup is provided on its inner side with a circular inwardly projecting annular collar 7 which serves as a connection for the removable cap 8. The collar is soldered or otherwise rigidly connected to the central portion of the cup. This cap, as will be noted from Figures 2 and 3 is formed with a depression or concavity 9. Moreover, as better shown in Figure the curvature of this concavity corresponds as near as possible with the curvature of the interior of the tubing 1, in one direction. The cap is also provided With an outstanding flange 10 which is of a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the neck 2. In addition, there is a washer 11 and a pad 12. The pad is here shown in the form of a ring which surrounds the ring-like portion of the cap 8 and fits snugly within the rim of the cup 3. The pad is of the usual packing material and is provided with a suitable substantially water-proof covering.

As before stated, the gist of the invention is in the shaping of the central portion of the pad retaining cap in such a way as to permit the curvature to cooperate with the curvature of the internal bore of the tubing, to aid in providing a substantially unbroken wall where an air pocket is ordinarily formed. It is true that a small air pocket is still left, but the construction shown will aid in making the bore a bit smoother and this will consequently aid in the proper travel of the air column. Hence, by doing away with a portion of the obstructions or (linarily encountered, a better tone is had, and the performer is not required to literally force the air through the tubing as is frequently done by many performers in attempting to overcome the obstructions which the air encounters. In addition to having this advantage, the arrangement is superior in that it aids in the placement of the pad and proper maintainance of the same, and in fact the circular outstanding flange on the cup aids in guiding the valve to a proper seat. All of these add to a saving in wind, a very essential feature in the proper playing 3 be emphasized here.

however, that the aforesaid air release port of a wind instrument of this kind. Of course, there are other important results obtained by this construction, but these will be ascertained from experience and need not It might be added 7 is formed in a depression in the cup and it prevents the formation of a vacuum be tween the cup and the cap which, it- 1s believed, would interfere with the sympathetic vibrations :in the tubin I Undoubtedly by considering the description'in connection with the drawings a clear comprehension of the invention will be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A musical instrument valve for use in association with a circular neck valve seat on the instrument tubing, comprising a disklike cup provided on its interior with a centrally located inwardly extending annular collar, a ring-like pad surrounding said collar'an'd fitting snugly within the rim of said cup, said pad being of a thickness substantially equal to the depth of said cup, and retaining means for the pad comprising a cap having an annular rim portion telescopically fitting onto the collar and including a central depression and an outstanding.

circular pad engaging flange, having its outer peripheral edge spaced inwardly from said valve seat neck.

2. As a new product of manufacture, a

musical instrument valve of the type specified comprising a dlsk like cup provided with; a central apertured depression, an an- Inular -c0llar carried by the disk portion of 40 said cup, said collar surrounding said depression, a Washer locate-d inflsaid cup and para central depression projecting within said collar, and an outstanding circular pad engaging flange.

In testimony whereof I 'afiiX my signature.

LAMAR STRINGFIELD. 

